Circular No. 01/2018/TT-BKHCN provides for the organization and management of the Project "Supporting the National Startup Innovation Ecosystem until 2025"

CIRCULAR

REGULATION on organizing qmanagement of the Program "Supporting the startup ecosystem for innovation and creativity nationwide until 2025"

national innovation system to 2025"

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Pursuant to the Law on Science and Technology dated June 18, 2013;

Pursuant to Decree No. 95/2017/NĐ-CP dated August 16, 2017 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Science and Technology;

Pursuant to Decree No. 08/2014/NĐ-CP dated January 27, 2014 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Science and Technology;

Implementing Decision No. 844/QD-TTg dated May 18, 2016 of the Prime Minister approving the Program "Supporting the startup ecosystem for innovation and creativity nationwide until 2025"";

At the proposal of the Director of the Market Development and Science and Technology Enterprise Department and the Legal Affairs Department;

The Minister of Science and Technology issues this Circular to regulate organization and management of the Program "Supporting the startup ecosystem for innovation and creativity nationwide until 2025".

 

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Article 1. This Circular stipulates the organization and management of the Program "Supporting the startup ecosystem for innovation and creativity nationwide until 2025" (hereinafter referred to as Program 844) approved by Decision No. 844/QD-TTg dated May 18, 2016 of the Prime Minister (hereinafter referred to as Decision No. 844/QD-TTg).

Article 2. This Circular applies to organizations and individuals participating in implementing tasks under Program 844, state administrative agencies, and other organizations and individuals related thereto.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

In this Circular, the following terms are understood as follows:

1. Innovative startup enterprise means an enterprise capable of rapid growth based on exploiting intellectual property, technology, new business models, and having been in operation for no more than five years from the date of issuance of the first Enterprise Registration Certificate.

2. Startup support organization means an organization providing certain services to support individuals, groups of individuals, and innovative startup enterprises such as physical infrastructure, consulting, training, coaching, capacity building, investment, investment support, and communication.

3. Business promotion organization means an organization supporting individuals, groups of individuals, and innovative startup enterprises to develop business models and access investment capital through focused training sessions and investment days.

4. Concentrated service area for supporting startup innovation means a place with infrastructure, shared workspace, event organization, service provision, training, investment, investment support, and other necessary services for startup innovation.

5. Startup innovation expert means a person with knowledge and experience in enhancing capabilities and connecting entities within the startup innovation ecosystem through activities such as training, policy consultation, and startup support consultation.

6. Leading organization responsible for implementing tasks under Program 844 (hereinafter referred to as leading organization) means an organization authorized by competent authorities to approve and assign the responsibility for implementing tasks under Program 844.

7. Steering Committee of Program 844 is an organization tasked with assisting the Minister of Science and Technology in guiding the implementation, participating in inspection, supervision, and evaluation of the organization and implementation of Program 844. The Steering Committee of Program 844 is established and its functions and responsibilities are determined by the Minister of Science and Technology.

Article 3. Tasks under Program 844

1. Scientific and technological tasks include scientific and technological projects and scientific programs aimed at fulfilling the tasks specified in Clause 10, Clause 11 Section III Article 1; Point d Clause 1 Article 2 Decision No. 844/QD-TTg.

2. Annual and periodic tasks to support the national startup ecosystem for innovation and creativity (referred to as annual and periodic tasks), including:

a) Group of tasks for training and enhancing capabilities for startup innovation as prescribed in Points a, b Clause 5 Section III Article 1 Decision No. 844/QD-TTg;

b) Group of tasks for communicating about startup activities, supporting startups, investing in startups, and promoting successful startup examples in Vietnam as prescribed in Clause 7 Section III Article 1 Decision No. 844/QD-TTg;

c) Group of tasks for building and developing networks of business promotion organizations, individual investor networks, and venture capital funds for startup innovation by 2020 as prescribed in Clause 4 Section III Article 1 Decision No. 844/QD-TTg;

d) Group of tasks for organizing startup innovation events of industries, localities, political-social organizations, research institutions, and educational establishments with potential for developing startup innovation activities as prescribed in Clause 3 Section III Article 1 Decision No. 844/QD-TTg;

e) Group of tasks for organizing the National Startup Innovation Day and events to build startup innovation ecosystems in economic regions as prescribed in Clause 3 Section III Article 1 Decision No. 844/QD-TTg;

f) Group of tasks for supporting the operations of some incubators, business promotion organizations, and organizations providing shared equipment as prescribed in Point a Clause 2, Point c Clause 5, Point a Clause 6 Section III Article 1 Decision No. 844/QD-TTg;

g) Group of tasks for connecting startup networks, startup support, and venture capital networks in Vietnam with regional and global counterparts; connecting and supporting domestic innovative startup enterprises to participate in short-term focused training programs at reputable business promotion organizations abroad as prescribed in Clause 8 Section III Article 1 Decision No. 844/QD-TTg;

h) Group of tasks for introducing partners, investors, and supporting procedures for domestic startup enterprises to access foreign markets as prescribed in Clause 9 Section III Article 1 Decision No. 844/QD-TTg;

i) Group of tasks for directly supporting innovative startup enterprises as prescribed in Point c Clause 5, Point b Clause 6, Clause 8 Section III Article 1 Decision No. 844/QD-TTg.

3. Information technology application tasks include:

a) Task of building/upgrading and operating the Startup Innovation Portal as prescribed in Clause 1 Section III Article 1 Decision No. 844/QD-TTg;

b) Task of building/upgrading and operating the information system to support management of Program 844 as prescribed in Point c Clause 1 Article 2 Decision No. 844/QD-TTg;

c) Task of building/upgrading and operating the information system for managing and analyzing startup innovation databases.

4. Task of establishing a concentrated service area for supporting startup innovation as prescribed in Clause 2 Section III Article 1 Decision No. 844/QD-TTg.

5. Management activities of Program 844, including:

a) Organize advisory boards to determine tasks, evaluation boards for explanatory presentations, budget review panels, evaluation boards, acceptance boards, and hire independent consulting experts (if necessary);

b) Organize inspection and evaluation teams to check on the implementation of tasks;

c) Activities related to hiring policy consultants, staff members, and labor contracts for auxiliary workers serving the operations of the Management Board of Project 844;

d) Support the rental of shared workspace, hiring of experts, organizing investment connection events, travel expenses for dispatched officials assisting domestic start-up enterprises with innovation and creativity in participating in activities at reputable overseas startup support service clusters;

đ) Organize conferences, seminars (Management Board meetings, conferences, seminars, training sessions on entrepreneurship and innovation, mid-term and final summary meetings of Project 844 activities...); organize reception for international guests working in Vietnam;

e) Organize domestic working delegations (to guide the implementation of Project 844, working delegations with localities and organizations on developing the entrepreneurial ecosystem of innovation, etc.);

g) Organize foreign working delegations to participate in events, connect partners, learn models and experiences supporting the international entrepreneurial ecosystem of innovation with the participation of outstanding domestic start-ups, trainers, mentors, and managers building the entrepreneurial ecosystem of innovation;

h) Communicate about the direction of developing the entrepreneurial ecosystem of innovation and the activities of the Management Board of Project 844;

i) Organize activities to collect and update information on entities within the entrepreneurial ecosystem of innovation into management information systems, analyze the startup innovation database;

k) Other activities serving administrative management and organization of Project 844 implementation;

Chapter II

MANAGEMENT OF TASKS UNDER PROJECT 844

Article 4. Authority to manage tasks under Project 844

1. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall commission, approve, allocate funds, and manage the implementation of the following tasks:

a) National science and technology tasks as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 3 of this Circular;

b) Tasks as stipulated in Clauses 2, 3, 4, and 5, Article 3 of this Circular at regional, national, and international scales to promote the development of the national entrepreneurial ecosystem of innovation.

The management process for tasks commissioned by the Ministry of Science and Technology to select implementing units shall be carried out according to the provisions from Article 6 to Article 10 of this Circular.

The management process for tasks directly assigned by the Ministry of Science and Technology to its subordinate units for implementation shall be carried out according to the provisions of Article 11 of this Circular. In cases where annual and periodic tasks are directly assigned by the Ministry of Science and Technology to its subordinate units for implementation, the management process shall follow the provisions of Article 11 of this Circular.

The task of establishing a concentrated service area for supporting startups of innovation shall be implemented according to current laws on investment development.

2. Ministries, sectors, localities, political-social-professional organizations shall commission, approve, allocate funds, and manage the implementation of the following tasks:

a) Sectoral, provincial, and grassroots-level science and technology tasks within their jurisdiction to address research issues and build mechanisms and policies as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 3 of this Circular;

b) Tasks as stipulated in Clauses 2, 3, 4, and 5, Article 3 of this Circular within their jurisdiction to support the construction of the entrepreneurial ecosystem of innovation in ministries, sectors, localities, and political-social-professional organizations.

Based on the provisions of Decision No. 844/QĐ-TTg and guidance provided in Article 15 of this Circular, ministries, sectors, localities, and political-social-professional organizations shall apply the provisions of this Chapter and current regulations to define the organizational management of tasks under Project 844 within their respective authority and responsibility for approval.

Article 5. Task Code

The tasks and projects under Project 844 shall be coded as follows: KNĐMST.[abbreviated name of task/project].[abbreviated name of registering organization].XX-YY, where:

1. KNĐMST is the code for the project;

2. XX is the sequential number code of the approved task dossier;

3. YY is the code for the year the task begins to be implemented.

Article 6. National Science and Technology Tasks

1. Based on the provisions of Clause 11, Section III, Article 1 of Decision No. 844/QĐ-TTg and the proposals and recommendations of the Steering Board of Project 844, units, ministries, sectors, and localities shall build task procurement proposals to submit to the task management unit for consolidation into a list of procurement proposals. The organization of task identification shall be carried out by the task management unit. The procedures for identifying tasks shall be conducted according to Circular No. 07/2014/TT-BKHCN dated May 26, 2014, issued by the Minister of Science and Technology on the procedures and processes for identifying national science and technology tasks funded by state budget, amended and supplemented by Circular No. 03/2017/TT-BKHCN dated April 3, 2017, issued by the Minister of Science and Technology.

2. The leading funding management unit shall coordinate with the task management unit and related units to manage the science and technology tasks under Project 844 in accordance with the provisions of the following Circulars: Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BKHCN dated June 26, 2017, issued by the Minister of Science and Technology on the selection and direct assignment of organizations to implement national science and technology tasks funded by state budget; Circular No. 05/2014/TT-BKHCN dated April 10, 2014, issued by the Minister of Science and Technology promulgating the "Model Research and Development Contract"; Circular No. 04/2015/TT-BKHCN dated March 11, 2015, issued by the Minister of Science and Technology on the inspection, evaluation, adjustment, and termination of contracts during the implementation of national science and technology tasks funded by state budget; Circular No. 11/2014/TT-BKHCN dated May 30, 2014, issued by the Minister of Science and Technology on the evaluation and acceptance of results of national science and technology tasks funded by state budget, and other current relevant legal documents.

Article 7. Determination of Annual and Periodic Task Catalogues

a) Activities of Project 844 as stipulated in Clause 1, Section III, Article 1 of Decision No. 844/QĐ-TTg;

b) The overall plan and annual plans of the Project 844 Steering Board regarding tasks to be implemented in each phase;

c) Directives and management documents from Party and State leaders; Memorandums of Cooperation at the Government and Ministry levels;

d) Needs of entities participating in building the national startup ecosystem for innovation and creativity.

2. Annually or periodically, the task management unit shall post notices inviting task proposals on the Ministry of Science and Technology's Electronic Information Portal, with a minimum proposal submission period of 30 days.

3. Based on the task proposal criteria set forth in Clause 1 of this Article, central agencies, localities, organizations, and individuals shall submit task proposals to the task management unit for consolidation. The task proposal shall be prepared according to Model C1.1-PĐX attached as Appendix I to this Circular.

4. Within ten working days from the end of the task proposal submission period, the task management unit shall have the responsibility to review overlaps, consolidate task proposals (Model C1.2-BTHNV attached as Appendix I to this Circular), and submit to the Minister of Science and Technology for decision to establish an advisory council to determine tasks according to the task groups specified in Clause 2 of Article 3. The determined tasks include new proposed tasks and those already included in previously approved and published task catalogues. The composition of the council, working methods, and procedural steps of the advisory council for determining tasks shall be carried out according to Model C1.6-QT attached as Appendix I to this Circular.

5. Within ten working days from the date of the advisory council's work results, the task management unit shall coordinate with the funding management unit and related units to submit to the Minister of Science and Technology for approval of the annual and periodic task catalogue.

Within ten working days from the date of the decision approving the annual and periodic task catalogue, the task management unit shall publish the annual and periodic task catalogue on the Ministry of Science and Technology's Electronic Information Portal and the National Startup Innovation and Creativity Electronic Information Portal. The publication period shall be at least 30 days for selection or direct assignment to organizations with sufficient capacity to implement the tasks, wherein a single task may select multiple organizations to carry out together.

Within ten working days from the date of the decision approving the Annual Task List, periodic tasks, the managing unit shall publish the Annual Task List, periodic tasks on the Ministry of Science and Technology's Electronic Information Portal and the National Startup Innovation Portal. The publication period must be at least thirty days for selection or direct assignment to organizations with sufficient capacity to implement, where a task may select several organizations to carry out simultaneously.

Article 8. Selection of organizations to undertake annual and periodic tasks

1. Organizations with activities compatible with the field of annual and periodic tasks, having seals and bank accounts have the right to participate in registering to undertake such tasks.

The registration dossier for undertaking tasks includes one set of documents presented and printed on A4 paper size, using Unicode character code font according to national standard TCVN 6909:2001, font size 14, and one electronic copy of the dossier (in PDF format, without password protection).

Components of the dossier:

a) Business registration certificate or establishment decision:

- In case of direct submission: certified copy and presentation of original for verification or notarized copy;

- In case of submission through postal service: notarized copy;

b) Task description (Model C2.1a-TMHT for supporting organizations for innovation startups and Model C2.1c-TMKN for innovation startup enterprises in Appendix II issued together with this Circular);

c) Explanation, commitment letter, agreement document, confirmation letter, and other documents proving compliance with criteria specified in Section II of Article 1 of Decision No. 844/QĐ-TTg for organizations submitting applications.

2. The entire dossier must be packaged, sealed, and clearly marked on the outside with:

a) Name of the annual and periodic task being registered for selection and direct assignment;

b) Name and address of the organization applying to undertake the main task, and name of the task leader;

c) List of documents included in the dossier.

3. Organizations applying to undertake annual and periodic tasks shall prepare one set of documents to submit directly or send via postal service to the unit managing the budget.

The date of receipt of the dossier is the date stamped by the budget management unit upon receipt.

4. Within ten working days from the end date of the application registration period for selection and direct assignment, the budget management unit shall organize the opening, inspection, and confirmation of the validity of the dossier with the participation of representatives from relevant agencies.

5. The budget management unit shall take the lead and coordinate with the task management unit to submit to the Minister of Science and Technology for the decision to establish the evaluation committee and the financial audit team for the annual and periodic tasks under Project 844, following Model 2.9-QT in Appendix II issued together with this Circular. The composition, working methods, procedures, conditions, and criteria for the evaluation committee and the financial audit team for annual and periodic tasks under Project 844 shall be implemented according to Model 2.9-QT in Appendix II issued together with this Circular.

6. Based on the results of the evaluation committee and the financial audit team for the implementation of tasks, and the independent consultant's opinion (if any), within five working days, the budget management unit shall coordinate with related units to submit to the Minister of Science and Technology for consideration and approval of the main implementing organization, funding, and time for task implementation.

Article 9. Implementation of Annual and Periodic Tasks

1. The budget management unit shall take the lead and coordinate with the task management unit and related units to sign the task implementation contract (Model C2.8-HĐNV in Appendix II issued together with this Circular).

2. The budget management unit shall take the lead and coordinate with related units to inspect, evaluate, adjust, and terminate the contract during the implementation of the task according to the procedures and formalities stipulated in Circular No. 04/2015/TT-BKHCN dated March 11, 2015, of the Minister of Science and Technology on the inspection, evaluation, adjustment, and termination of contracts during the implementation of national science and technology tasks funded by state budget.

The report on the results of task implementation shall be carried out according to Model C3.1-BCKQ in Appendix III issued together with this Circular; the inspection and evaluation record of the task implementation situation shall be carried out according to Model C3.2-BBKT in Appendix III issued together with this Circular.

Article 10. Evaluation, acceptance, termination of contracts, recognition of annual and periodic task implementation results

1. Within thirty working days from the date the contract for task implementation expires, the organization responsible for implementing the task shall be responsible for sending the evaluation and acceptance dossier to the financial management unit. The dossier includes:

a) A request for evaluation and acceptance (Form C3.3-DNNNT attached as Appendix III of this Circular);

b) A report on the results of task implementation (Form C3.1-BCKQ attached as Appendix III of this Circular);

c) Products, results of task implementation, and related documents according to the task description and the approved task implementation contract.

2. Within ten working days from the date of receipt of the evaluation and acceptance dossier, the financial management unit shall take the lead and coordinate with the task management unit to submit to the Minister of Science and Technology for the decision to establish an evaluation and acceptance committee for the results of task implementation. The composition of the committee, the method of operation, and the procedure for the annual and periodic task implementation evaluation and acceptance committee under Project 844 shall be carried out according to Form 3.8-QT attached as Appendix III of this Circular.

3. Based on the minutes of the evaluation and acceptance, the financial management unit shall coordinate with relevant units to complete the contract termination procedures. The minutes of the contract termination for task implementation (Form C3.6-TLHD attached as Appendix III of this Circular).

4. For task implementation results that meet the requirements, within five working days from the completion of the contract termination, the financial management unit shall submit to the Minister of Science and Technology for the decision to recognize the results of task implementation (Form C3.7-QDCN attached as Appendix III of this Circular).

5. The handling of task implementation results and the transfer of rights to use and ownership of task implementation results shall be carried out in accordance with current regulations.

Article 11. Management process for tasks directly assigned to subordinate units of the Ministry of Science and Technology to implement

1. Annually, the unit entrusted to implement the task shall prepare the task description and send it to the Ministry of Science and Technology (through the Department of Planning and Finance).

2. The Department of Planning and Finance shall submit to the Minister of Science and Technology for organizing an Evaluation and Budget Review Committee consisting of representatives from the task management unit, the Department of Planning and Finance, and three experts in the relevant field to evaluate the content of the task description and review the budget for task implementation.

3. Based on the advice of the Evaluation and Budget Review Committee, the Department of Planning and Finance shall submit to the Minister of Science and Technology for the decision to assign the task to the unit entrusted to organize its implementation.

4. The Department of Planning and Finance, authorized by the leadership of the Ministry, shall sign the contract with the unit entrusted to organize the implementation.

The unit entrusted to organize the implementation shall be responsible for organizing the implementation and managing the budget for task implementation in accordance with regulations. It shall periodically report the results of task implementation during the implementation phase to the Ministry of Science and Technology (through the Department of Planning and Finance and the task management unit).

The Department of Planning and Finance shall coordinate with the task management unit to regularly inspect the progress of task implementation.

5. The unit entrusted to implement the task shall be responsible for preparing a report evaluating the results of task implementation and submitting it to the Department of Planning and Finance.

The Department of Planning and Finance shall organize an Evaluation and Acceptance Committee for Task Implementation Results consisting of representatives from the task management unit, the Department of Planning and Finance, and three experts in the relevant field to evaluate and accept the results when the task is completed and submit them to the Minister of Science and Technology for consideration and recognition of the results of task implementation. The Department of Planning and Finance shall carry out the contract termination procedures in accordance with regulations.

6. Forms and documents serving the activities stipulated in this Article shall apply the forms in Appendix II and Appendix III of this Circular.

Article 12. Support for Innovative Start-up Enterprises

1. Selection method: Implemented according to the provisions of Clause 20 Section 2 Chapter IV Decree No. 39/2018/NĐ-CP dated March 11, 2018 detailing certain provisions of the Law on Supporting Small and Medium-sized Enterprises.

2. Content of support:

a) Support part of the funding for direct labor wages and services as stipulated at Point c Clause 5 Section III Article 1 Decision No. 844/QĐ-TTg.

b) Support part of the funding for digital space provision, online support services; trial production, sample product making, technology completion as stipulated at Point b Clause 6 Section III Article 1 Decision No. 844/QĐ-TTg.

c) Support part of the funding for participation in short-term focused training courses at some reputable business promotion organizations abroad as stipulated at Clause 8 Section III Article 1 Decision No. 844/QĐ-TTg.

d) Connect and introduce partners, facilitate procedures through science and technology representatives, trade representatives of Vietnam abroad to access foreign markets as stipulated at Clause 9 Section III Article 1 Decision No. 844/QĐ-TTg.

Article 13. Support for Innovative Start-up Entrepreneurs

1. Content of support under Project 844 for the activities of innovative start-up entrepreneurs:

a) Training and enhancing capabilities for innovative start-ups as stipulated at Clause 5 Section III Article 1 Decision No. 844/QĐ-TTg.

b) Advising on policy and legal support for innovative start-ups as stipulated at Clauses 10, 11 Section III Article 1 Decision No. 844/QĐ-TTg.

c) Advising on support for innovative start-ups, including advising on business management, communication, network development, international relationship connection for innovative start-ups as stipulated at Clauses 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 Section III Article 1 Decision No. 844/QĐ-TTg.

2. Criteria for determining experts participating in supported activities from Project 844:

a) For trainers of innovative start-ups: have experience in training and enhancing capabilities for innovative start-ups as stipulated at Clause 5 Section III Article 1 Decision No. 844/QĐ-TTg for one or more of the following subjects:

- Individuals, groups of individuals, innovative start-up enterprises;

- Investors, advisors, coaches, agencies, units, organizations involved in supporting innovative start-ups.

b) For experts advising on policies to support innovative start-ups: have experience in participating in one or more of the following activities:

- Researching, drafting, implementing regulatory documents promoting the start-up environment;

- Supporting localities, enterprises in implementing policies and laws on start-ups;

- Evaluating impacts, feedback, recommending improvements to policies and laws on start-ups.

c) For experts advising on support for innovative start-ups: have experience in advising on management, developing business models, network development, communication, international relationship connection for innovative start-ups as stipulated at Clauses 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 Section III Article 1 Decision No. 844/QĐ-TTg, specifically including advising on one or more of the following activities:

- Marketing, product and service promotion;

- Utilizing technological information, inventions;

- Payment, finance;

- Assessing, valuing research outcomes and technological development, intellectual property assets;

- Legal, intellectual property rights, investment, establishing scientific and technological enterprises, commercializing research outcomes and technological development, intellectual property assets;

- Building and developing networks of business promotion organizations;

- Building individual investor networks and venture capital funds for innovative start-ups;

- Developing communication programs about start-up activities, start-up support, investment support for start-ups, and promoting successful start-up examples;

- Connecting domestic start-up networks, start-up support, and venture capital with regional and global networks;

- Introducing partners, investors, facilitating investor and enterprise procedures to access foreign markets.

3. The determination of levels of innovative start-up experts serving as the basis for financial regulations regarding the support funding level from Project 844 is specified as follows:

a) Level 1 is an expert meeting the criteria stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article and having 12 years or more of experience in the relevant field;

b) Level 2 is an expert meeting the criteria stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article and having 9 to less than 12 years of experience in the relevant field;

c) Level 3 is an expert meeting the criteria stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article and having 6 to less than 9 years of experience in the relevant field;

d) Level 4 is an expert meeting the criteria stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article and having 3 to less than 6 years of experience in the relevant field;

đ) Level 5 is an expert meeting the criteria stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article and having less than 3 years of experience in the relevant field.

4. The support for experts to carry out activities under Project 844 is implemented through organizations executing tasks under Project 844. Organizations executing tasks under Project 844 receiving funding to hire experts must comply with legal provisions on tendering for consulting services and ensure the authenticity of documents proving the expertise of experts meeting the criteria and conditions stipulated in this Article.

Article 14. Activities of the Steering Committee for Project 844

1. Based on the actual needs of the implementation activities of the Steering Committee for Project 844, the Chairman of the Steering Committee decides the number of staff members and labor contracts to assist the Steering Committee for Project 844.

2. The Steering Committee for Project 844 shall submit the annual work plan for the activities specified in Points c, d, đ, e, g, h, i, k of Clause 5, Article 3 of this Circular for approval by the Minister of Science and Technology.

3. The operating funds of the Steering Committee for Project 844 and the support units specified in Points c, d, đ, e, g, h, i, k of Clause 5, Article 3 of this Circular shall be allocated within the annual budget for managing Project 844 provided through the Office of National Science and Technology Programs.

Chapter III

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 15. Guidelines for Building Implementation Plans and Organizing the Execution of Project 844

1. Basis for building the implementation plan for Project 844:

a) Decision No. 844/QĐ-TTg, guidance documents for implementing Project 844, national programs, projects, and relevant laws concerning support for innovation-based startups;

b) Resolutions, strategies, plans, programs, and projects of ministries, sectors, localities, and political-social-professional organizations regarding economic and social development, science and technology, and innovation;

c) Directions for development, potential, and strengths of ministries, sectors, localities, and political-social-professional organizations in developing an innovation-based startup ecosystem;

d) Evaluation of the current status and potential of entities participating in the support ecosystem for innovation-based startups at ministries, sectors, localities, and political-social-professional organizations;

đ) Assessment of the capacity to develop human resources for innovation-based startups; conditions regarding state budget investment capital, existing infrastructure, and resources that can be mobilized from the private sector, domestic and international cooperation projects;

e) Market size for innovation-based startups at ministries, sectors, localities, and political-social-professional organizations; policies and measures to support innovation-based startups in accessing and expanding markets at the national and international levels.

2. Guidelines for building the implementation plan for Project 844 at ministries, sectors, localities, and political-social-professional organizations:

a) Setting objectives and activity contents suitable to the characteristics of innovation-based startup activities within their jurisdiction and responsibility areas;

b) Allocating reasonable state budget funds to develop technical infrastructure, and collaborating with the private sector to invest and support innovation-based startups;

c) Utilizing and exploiting existing technical infrastructure to create shared workspace, provide common equipment, and organize centralized service areas for innovation-based startups;

d) Attracting experts, advisors, investors, and exemplary domestic and international innovation-based startups to participate in building the support ecosystem for innovation-based startups;

đ) Strengthening communication efforts, raising awareness, training human resources, and providing necessary knowledge and skills for innovation-based startups;

e) Regularly organizing innovation-based startup festivals (Techfest) within their management areas and fields; supporting businesses, investors, trainers, advisors, and experts in participating in domestic and international innovation-based startup events; conducting surveys and learning experiences in building innovation-based startup ecosystems at the national and international levels;

g) Establishing an innovation-based startup information portal within their management areas and fields, ensuring connectivity with the national innovation-based startup information portal.

3. Management responsibilities for Project 844 at ministries, sectors, localities, and political-social-professional organizations:

a) Exploiting and using the information system to support the management of tasks in receiving and processing registration files for participation in Project 844 through electronic networks;

b) Updating and urging the updating of information about entities in the innovation-based startup ecosystem within their management areas and fields into the management information system, analyzing the startup database built by the Ministry of Science and Technology to compile reports monthly to the Prime Minister; d) Announcing on the online portal of the sector, field, or locality the implementation plan, guidance documents, list of supporting organizations, and innovation-based startups receiving support;

đ) Studying and proposing solutions to utilize local and corporate science and technology development funds for investment in innovation-based startups according to Clause 1, Section III, Article 1 of Decision No. 844/QĐ-TTg; Article 18 of the Law on Supporting Small and Medium Enterprises dated June 12, 2017; Clause 2, Article 35 of the Law on Technology Transfer dated June 19, 2017, and related guiding documents.

4. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall take the lead in building plans, budgets, and allocating scientific and technological public funds annually and other appropriate sources of funding to implement tasks under Project 844 ordered by the Ministry of Science and Technology; regularly reporting annually to the Prime Minister on the implementation of Project 844; organizing mid-term and final reviews of Project 844 implementation according to Clause 1, Article 2 of Decision No. 844/QĐ-TTg.

5. Units, ministries, sectors, localities, and political-social-professional organizations shall base their annual and five-year implementation plans for Project 844 on practical needs in their management fields, allocate funds to ensure the implementation of activities according to approved plans by competent authorities as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 2 of Decision No. 844/QĐ-TTg; annually submitting reports on the implementation of activities, results, and emerging issues to the Ministry of Science and Technology before December 15 for consolidation and reporting to the Prime Minister as stipulated in Clause 5, Article 2 of Decision No. 844/QĐ-TTg. The Prime Minister monitors the implementation of Decision 844; organize mid-term and final reviews of the implementation of Decision 844 in accordance with Clause 1, Article 2 of Decision No. 844/QĐ-TTg.

5. Units, ministries, sectors, localities, political-social-professional organizations shall base their annual and five-year plans to implement Decision 844 on the practical needs of their respective fields of management, and allocate funds to ensure the implementation of activities according to the plans approved by competent authorities in accordance with Clause 3, Article 2 of Decision No. 844/QĐ-TTg; annually submit reports on the implementation of activities, results, and emerging issues to the Ministry of Science and Technology before December 15 for consolidation and reporting to the Prime Minister in accordance with Clause 5, Article 2 of Decision No. 844/QĐ-TTg.

Article 16. Responsibilities of Units Managing Project 844

1. The Project 844 Management Board:

a) Direct the implementation of Project 844 in accordance with the guidance of the Party, State, and social needs in the context of international integration.

b) Propose and recommend the Prime Minister to direct ministries, central agencies, and localities to implement Project 844 in accordance with its objectives and contents.

2. The Market Development Department and Science and Technology Enterprises Department, which manages tasks commissioned by the Ministry of Science and Technology, shall be responsible for:

a) Receiving, processing, managing, and compiling proposals for tasks, implementing procedures related to determining and announcing the list of tasks under Project 844 commissioned by the Ministry of Science and Technology;

b) Leading and coordinating with relevant units to develop the budget for implementing tasks under Project 844 commissioned by the Ministry of Science and Technology to be included in the annual plan;

c) Guiding, coordinating, and supporting agencies, units under ministries, sectors, localities, political-social-professional organizations in developing plans, organizing implementation, evaluating, reporting on the results of annual implementation; organizing mid-term and final reviews of Project 844 activities and performing other tasks as directed by the Project 844 Management Board.

3. The Planning and Finance Department under the Ministry of Science and Technology shall be responsible for:

a) Compiling plans and allocating funds for implementing tasks under Project 844 commissioned by the Ministry of Science and Technology and for managing Project 844 activities;

b) Receiving explanations; leading and coordinating with relevant units to organize procedures for assessing explanations and auditing budgets, assigning tasks, signing contracts, inspecting, adjusting the organization of implementation, evaluating, accepting completion, settling contracts, recognizing results, and other related activities for tasks specified in Clauses 2, 3, and 4 of Article 3 of this Circular commissioned by the Ministry of Science and Technology and directly assigned to units under the Ministry of Science and Technology to implement.

4. Units under the Ministry of Science and Technology directly assigned to lead the implementation of tasks shall be responsible for managing the funds for implementing the assigned tasks.

5. The Office of National Science and Technology Programs under the Ministry of Science and Technology shall be responsible for:

a) Performing the role of financial management unit for:

- Tasks specified in Clause 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Article 3 of this Circular commissioned by the Ministry of Science and Technology and not falling within the cases directly assigned to units under the Ministry of Science and Technology to implement;

- Project 844 management activities specified in Clause 5 of Article 3 of this Circular;

b) Leading and coordinating with relevant units to develop the budget, proposing adjustments to the content and budget for Project 844 management activities;

c) Receiving, processing, and managing files; leading and coordinating with relevant units to implement procedures for selecting, assigning tasks, signing contracts, inspecting, adjusting the organization of implementation, evaluating, accepting completion, settling contracts, recognizing results, and other related activities for tasks specified in item 1 point a of this clause.

Article 17. Responsibilities of Task Leaders and Organizations Mainly Implementing Tasks Under Project 844

1. Building and implementing approved contents; being responsible for the progress and results of task implementation; proposing issues arising during task implementation that need resolution to the financial management unit.

2. Cooperating with the task management unit, financial management unit, and relevant units in inspecting and supervising the implementation of tasks under Project 844 according to the set objectives, contents, and schedule.

3. Submitting written recommendations to the financial management unit for adjusting the objectives, contents, and schedule of tasks under Project 844 to meet practical requirements.

4. Fully complying with regular reporting systems (every six months, annually, mid-term, and final reviews), submitting urgent reports on the implementation of tasks under Project 844 and finalizing the budget report with the financial management unit. Monthly updating and urging the update of information on entities in the startup ecosystem related to task implementation into the management information system, analyzing the startup innovation database built by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

5. The task leader is responsible to the organization mainly implementing the task for organizing the implementation of the task and the results of the task implementation according to the agreement with the main implementing organization.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 18. Effective Date

b) Decision No. 35/2008/QD-NHNN dated December 16, 2008, of the Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam amending and supplementing certain articles of the regulations on procedures and formalities for implementing changes by credit unions that require approval promulgated under Decision No. 05/2007/QD-NHNN dated January 30, 2007, of the Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam;

2. In case the legal normative documents cited in this Circular are amended, supplemented, or replaced, they shall be applied according to the amended, supplemented, or replacing documents.

Article 19. Responsibility for Implementation

1. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, provincial People's Committees, centrally governed cities, and related organizations and individuals shall be responsible for implementing this Circular.

2. During implementation, if there are difficulties, the agency, organization, or individual is requested to reflect them to the Ministry of Science and Technology for research, consideration, and amendment or supplementation to ensure appropriateness./.